Top 5 Solid Foods For Weaning Baby
- October 17, 2018
- by Melissa Lawrence
Starting the journey from breastmilk or formula to solid foods is scary- you don’t want to do anything wrong that could deter baby from exploring and eating new things. Some babies may resist the transition, but eventually it will be time to introduce some new material in order for them to get the nutrients they need. Here are my top 5 first baby foods for weaning baby from milk to solids:
1. Avocado
All the rage from spreading it on toast to blending it into pudding, avocado is a favorite for everyone. Let baby be a part of the trend by introducing avocado as one of their first foods. High in healthy fats and smooth in texture, avocado is perfect for babies.
Just scoop out the flesh, mash it up a bit, and serve it up to baby on a spoon.The creamy texture is perfect, because it isn’t too much of a shift from milk, but still provides nutrients and exposure that will get their body on the way to a solid diet. If you want to spice things up a bit, add milk or yogurt to increase the creaminess. Don’t season the mixture, as foods high in salt and sugar are not a good idea for baby’s underdeveloped palate and digestive tract.
2. Iron-rich cereals
One of the most important nutrients to expose baby to, foods high in iron are a great first food. Iron is crucial to baby, as it helps their brain develop normally.
Now, I wasn’t quite ready to give my kids solid baby food like meat at the tender age of six months, so I opted for iron cereals, which you can find in most grocery stores in the baby aisle. The cereals come in really tiny pieces, which baby can pick up and explore with ease. Mix in some breast milk or formula for added nutrition, and serve this up to baby for an iron-rich, delicious first solid food.
3. Baked Apples
Baked Apples are a super first food for babies because they are easy to make, the right consistency, healthy and a steady favorite given baby’s developing taste buds.
The instructions for preparing these are so silly I feel funny writing them into a post. Wash the apples, dig out the cores, making sure to get all of the seeds, and place in a baking pan at 350 degrees for approximately an hour. I added a bit of cinnamon to mine (check with your doctor on that). Allow to cool, and then dig out the meat of the apple for a yummy meal for your little one.
4. Egg Yolks
Fatty and delicious, yolk is invariably everyone’s favorite part of the egg! Lucky for baby, these two elements are great for new eaters and developing digestive tracts.
I like to prepare egg yolks by soft boiling the entire egg, running under cold water to cool, and then scooping out the yolk. You can mix in a little milk depending on the consistency of the yolk. Once your baby gets used to the taste and texture, they will crave the healthy fats and nutrients found in the yolk.
5. Sweet Potato/Yams
Aside from being nutritious, sweet, and colorful, the soft and creamy texture of sweet potatoes is perfect for young babies. High in vitamins A and C, as well as minerals like calcium and potassium, sweet potatoes offer a healthy first food.
You cake bake sweet potatoes in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour, or boil. Then, simply cool, remove the skin, and mash up to give to your baby. Try adding milk for a creamier texture.
Remember to opt for single-ingredient recipes when introducing new foods to you baby. That way, you can determine whether any foods are causing allergies. Combining too many ingredients also can deter baby’s preference for simple foods. Avoid salt artificial flavors.
Thanks for reading, and let me know in the comments what first foods you gave your baby. Also please share your recipes.
Comments